BMW All Engine Codes List

Surely you have often come across many abbreviations and codes when looking for parts for your BMW. These codes are used to indicate which engine your car is equipped with.

Below are the codes of BMW engines until 2001.

Engine Numbers M

Since 2000, BMW has introduced a new engine marking.

Engine Numbers N

This list includes the engine code, the number of cylinders, the engine capacity, the number of valves, the horsepower range, the torque, the BMW model of the motor on which it is installed, the time interval for using the particular engine, and many other important information.

Engine Code

Engine Size (liters)

# of Cylinders
and layout

# of Valves

Camshaft and Valve Timing

HP Rating

Torque Rating

Active Years

Example Models

Notes

M and N BMW codes (Serial Auto)

M10

1.6, 1.8, 2.0

I4

8

SOHC

98-104

104-107

1964-1985

2002, E21 320i, E30 318i

M31 turbo version = 168hp

M20

2.0-2.7

I6

12

SOHC

121-168

120-180

1983-1992

E21 323i, E30 325e, E30 325i, E34 525i

M20B25 = 325i engine  
M20B27 = 325e engine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M21

2.4

I6

12

SOHC

84-114

112-162

1983-1985

524td

turbo diesel

M30

2.5-3.5

I6

12

SOHC

175-208

159-225

1968-1993

E9 2800, E24 633CSi, E28 535i, E34 535i

carburetor up to 1975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M40

1.6, 1.8

I4

8

SOHC

102-113

104-120

1987-1991

E30 318i

Euro models

M42

1.8

I4

16

DOHC

138

129

1988-1995

E30 318is, E36 318i, E36 318ti

S42B20 used in BTCC racing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M44

1.9

I4

16

DOHC

138

133

1996-1999

E36 318ti, Z3 1.9

US OBD-II models

M50

2.0-2.5

I6

24

DOHC

150-189

140-181

1990-1992

E34 525i, E36 325i

non-VANOS valve timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M50TU

2.0-2.5

I6

24

DOHC

150-189

140-180

1993-1995

E34 525i, E36 325i

with VANOS valve timing

M52

2.0-2.8

I6

24

DOHC

150-190

140-210

1996-1999

E36 328i, E39 528i, Z3 2.8

VANOS on intake cam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M52TU

2.0-2.8

I6

24

DOHC

150-190

140-180

1993-1995

E39 528i, E46 323i/328i

VANOS on intake and exhaust cams  
cable-actuated throttle

M54

2.2-3.0

I6

24

DOHC

168-228

155-221

2001-2006

E39 525i/530i, E46 325i/330i

VANOS on intake and exhaust cams  
Drive-by-Wire throttle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M56

2.5

I6

24

DOHC

192

181

2001-2005

E46 325i SULEV

low emissions engine for CA, MA, NY, VT

M57N2 3.0 I6     197-286 400-580 2000-2014 3 E90, E91, E92 325d, 330d: 5 E60/61 525d, 530d, X5 E70 3.0d, X6 E71 30dX X5 E70 3.0sd i 3.5d, X6 E71 35dX straight-6 diesel engine (так же turbo-disel)
                   

M60

3.0-4.0

V8

32

DOHC

215-282

214-295

1992-1995

E34 530i, E32 740iL

Nikasil-lined block

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M62

3.5-4.6

V8

32

DOHC

232-342

236-354

1996-2003

-1998 E39 540i, E31 840ci, E53 X5 4.6is

non-VANOS valve timing

M62TU

3.5-4.4

V8

32

DOHC

235-282

254-325

1998-2003

1999+ E39 540i, E53 X5 4.4i

with VANOS valve timing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M70

5.0

V12

24

SOHC

300

330

1988-1995

E31 850i, E32 750iL

BMW's first V12

M73

5.4

V12

24

SOHC

320

360

1996-1998

E31 850ci, E38 750iL

OBD-II compliant version of M70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M73TU

5.4

V12

24

SOHC

320

360

1999-2001

E38 750iL

also used in Rolls-Royce models

M88/1

3.5

I6

24

DOHC

272

243

1978-1981

E26 M1

used exclusively in the M1 supercar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M88/3

3.5

I6

24

DOHC

282

251

1983-1989

Euro E24 M635CSi

related closely to S38 used in US M5/M6

N13/N18 1.6 I4     136-170 220-250   F20 114i, 116i, F30 316i, F20 118i, MINI Cooper S F56  

N20

2.0

I4

16

DOHC

181

241

258

2012-

E84 X1 20i, 28i, F25 X3 20i, 28i, F30 320i, 328i, F10 520i, 528i, E89 Z4 20i, 28i, F20 125i

single twin-scroll turbo,  
Valvetronic, direct injection

N26

2.0

I4

16

DOHC

241

258

2012-

F30 328i

SULEV low emissions engine for US

single twin-scroll turbo,  
Valvetronic, direct injection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N51

3.0

I6

24

DOHC

215

184

2007-2011

E90 328i SULEV

SULEV low emissions engine

N52

3.0

I6

24

DOHC

215

184

2006

E90 325i

also known as 'low output' N52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N52B30M1

3.0

I6

24

DOHC

230

199

2007-2012

E90/E92 328i, Z4 3.0i

Medium-output N52

N52B30O1

3.0

I6

24

DOHC

255

221

2006-2012

E90 330i, E60 528i, Z4 3.0si, E63 630i

High-output N52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N53

2.5-3.0

I6

24

DOHC

190-270

173-240

2007-2011

Euro E90 325i, 330i, Euro E60 523i, 525i, Euro F10 525i, 530i

Euro-spec version for lower market Euro models

N54

3.0

I6

24

DOHC

306-335

295-332

2007-2010

E90/E92 335i, E60 535i, E82 1M

twin-turbo, direct injection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N55

3.0

I6

24

DOHC

302

300

2010-

E82 135i, E90, E92 335i, F30 335i, E84 X1, F25 X3, E70 X5, E71 X6 xDrive 35i, F10 535i, F07 535i, 

single twin-scroll turbo, Valvetronic, direct injection

N55HP 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 315 330 2010 F12 640i, F21 M135i, F01 740i  single twin-scroll turbo, Valvetronic, direct injection

N62

3.6-4.8

4.3-4.7

V8

32

DOHC

272-367

262-369

2001-2010

E60 545i/550i, E65 745/750, E70 X5 4.8, E63 645Ci, 650i

naturally aspirated, Valvetronic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N63

4.4

V8

32

DOHC

402

440

2008-

F10 550i, E71 X6 50i, F02 750Li, F12/13 650i, F07 550i GT

twin turbo

S BMW codes for the Motorsport series

S14

2.0-2.5

I4

16

DOHC

195-235

155-177

1987-1991

E30 M3, E30 320is

based on M88/S38 engine design

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S38

3.5-3.8

I6

24

DOHC

252-335

243-295

1986-1995

E28 M5, E24 M6, E34 M5

further development of M88 engine

S50 EU

3.0-3.2

I6

24

DOHC

280-321

240-260

1993-1999

Euro E36 M3, Euro MZ3

not based on M50, single and double VANOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S50 US

3.0

I6

24

DOHC

240

225

1995

US E36 M3, Japan-spec E36 M3

directly based on M50

S52

3.2

I6

24

DOHC

240

240

1996-2000

US E36 M3, US MZ3 Japan-spec E36 M3

directly based on M52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S54

3.2

I6

24

DOHC

333-343

257-269

2001-2008

E46 M3, MZ3, Z4 M

further development of Euro S50B32

S55

3.0

I6

24

DOHC

430 (est)

x

2015+

F80 M3, F82 M4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S62

4.9

V8

32

DOHC

394

369

1999-2003

E39 M5, E52 Z8

loosely based on M62 but with individual throttles, double VANOS

S63

4.4

V8

32

DOHC

550

500

2009-2011

E70 X5 M, E71 X6 M

Wiesmann GT MF5

Motorsport-built version of N63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S63TU

4.4

V8

32

DOHC

560

502

2011-

F10 M5, F12/13 M6, F06 M6 Grand Coupe

S63 with Valvetronic  
and more boost

S65

4.0-4.4

V8

32

DOHC

414-444

300-320

2008-2012

E90 M3, E92 M3 GTS

based on S85 V10  
last naturally-aspirated M engine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S70

5.6

V12

48

DOHC

380

410

1994-1995

E31 850CSi

Motorsport evolution of M70 engine

S70/2

6.0-6.1

V12

48

DOHC

627-680

480

1994-1997

McLaren F1

not based on an M70 engine  
shares many design points with Euro S50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S85

5.0

V10

60

DOHC

500

384

2006-2010

E60 M5, E63 M6

technology derived from Formula 1

P BMW Codes for the Motorsport Race Series

M12/7

2.0

I4

16

DOHC

300+

x

1968-1972

2002, Formula 2, 320i

based on M10 4-cylinder but with 4-valve heads; naturally-aspirated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M12/M13/1

1.4-1.5

I4

16

DOHC

350-1,300

x

1979-1988

320i Group 5, March GTP, Brabham Formula 1

single turbo, decimated n/a competitors before turbos were outlawed; up to 5.5bar of boost in F1

S42B20

2.0

I4

16

DOHC

300

x

1992-1998

E36 318is BTCC

SuperTouring engine, based on M42 4-cyl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P50B32

3.2-3.4

I6

24

DOHC

400-425

x

1997-2001

E36 M3 GTR, E46 M3

based on Euro S50B32, used in E36 PTG racecars and first E46 PTG cars

S70/3

6.0

V12

48

DOHC

650+

x

1995-1997

McLaren F1 GTR

winner of 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans; similar in design to S70/2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P75B60

6.0

V12

48

DOHC

650+

x

1998-2001

BMW V12 LMR Prototype, E53 X5/LM

winner of 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans; ground-up evolution of S70/3

P54B32

3.2-3.4

I6

24

DOHC

425-450

x

2001-2003

E46 M3

race engine based on S54 streetengine; used in ALMS prior to 4.0 P60 V8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P60B40

4.0

V8

32

DOHC

444-470

x

2003-2005

E46 M3 GTR

race-only engine not based on a true production model

P54B20

2.0

I6

24

DOHC

275+

x

2001-2005

E46 320i WTCC

Touring Car engine based on M54 with S54-style intake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P45B20

2.0

I4

16

DOHC

275

x

2005-2012

E90 320si WTCC

based on N45 production engine from homologation special E90 320si

P65B40

4.0

V8

32

DOHC

480

x

2010-

E92 M3 GT

evolution of P60B40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P84

3.0

V10

40

Pneumatic

925+

x

2004-2005

WilliamsBMW F1

19,000 RPM rev limit; 1,500km lifespan (4 times longer than 2002 F1 rules)

P86

2.4

V8

32

Pneumatic

720+

x

2006-2009

BMW Sauber F1 Team

19,000 RPM rev limit 

Row 4-cylinder

* 1961-1987 - 1.6-2.0 L M10 / M12

* 1986-1991 - 2.0-2.5 L S14 for M3 (DOHC)

* 1987-1995 - 1.6 / 1.8 L M40 (SOHC)

* 1989-1996 - 1.8 L M42 (DOHC)

* 1991-2002 - 1.6 / 1.8 / 1.9 L M43 (SOHC)

* 1994-2000 - 1.7 L M41 Diesel

* 1996-2001 - 1.9 L M44 (DOHC)

* 1997-2005 - 2.0 l M47 Diesel

* 2001-2006 - 1.6 l Tritec

* 2001-2003 - 1.8 / 2.0 liter N42 (won the International Engine of the Year award)

* 2004- ... 1.8 / 2.0 L N46

* 2004- ... 1.6 l N45

* 2006- ... 1.6 l Prince

 

 

 

 

Series 6-cylinder

BMW is most known for its in-line six-cylinder engines.

* 1933 - 1.2 L M78

* 1937 - 2.0 L M328

* 1937 - 3.5 L M335

* 1952 - 2.0-2.1 L M337

* 1968-2.5-2.6 L M06

* 1971 - 2.0-2.7 L M20

* 1976 - 2.5-3.5 L M30

* 1977 - 2.0 L M60 (the original name of the engine that is now known as the M20, the M60 is now understood as the first generation 3.0 and 4.0 liter V8)

* 1978 - 3.5 L M88 / S38 for M1 / M5 / M6

* 1980 - 3.2 L M102 for the 7 Series

* 1983 - 3.4 L M106 for the 7 Series

* 1983 - 2.4 L M21 Diesel

* 1989 - 2.0-2.5 L M50

* 1989 - 3.0 L S50 for M3

* 1991 - 2.5 L M51 Diesel

* 1994 - 2.5-2.8 L M52 (two Engine of the Year awards)

* 1994 - 3.0 L S52 for M3

* 1998 - 2.5-3.0 l M57 Diesel

* 2000 - 2.5-3.0 L M54

* 2002 - 3.2 L S54 (six awards Engine of the Year)

* 2004 - 3.0 L R6

* 2005 - 3.0 L N52

* 2007 - 3.0 liter N54 turbocharged

V8

* 1951 - 2.6-3.2 l OHV V-8

* 1992 - 3.0-4.0 L M60

* 1996 - 3.5-4.4 l M62

* 1998 - 4.9-5.0 l S62

* 1998 - 3.9 L M67 Diesel (two Engine of the Year awards)

* 2001 - 3.6-4.8 l N62 (three awards Engine of the Year)

V10

 

* 2005 - 5.0 L S85 for the E60 M5 and E63 M6 (four Engine of the Year awards)

V12

* 1986 - 5.0-5.4 l M70

* 1992 - 5.6 L S70

* 1993 - 5.4 L M73 (one award Engine of the Year)

* 2003 - 6.0 liters N73